Statement on the Tragic Shooting that Claimed the Life of 32BJ SEIU Member Aland Etienne and Three Others

We’re heartbroken over the tragic and senseless shooting that took the lives of four people in Midtown Manhattan, including 32BJ SEIU member Aland Etienne.  On behalf of the Long Island Federation of Labor, I want to offer our deepest condolences to the families, loved ones, and coworkers of everyone who lost their life in this horrible act of violence.

Aland was a valued member of the 32BJ family.  He was a hardworking, reliable employee who took pride in his job.  Like so many of his fellow union members, he showed up every day to do his work with dignity and dedication.  His life was taken in an unthinkable act of violence while he was simply doing his job.

We also mourn the three other workers who were killed.  Every single one of them mattered. They were fathers, daughters, spouses, and friends.  They deserved to go home at the end of the day.  No one should ever go to work and not come home.

The workplace should be safe.  There is no excuse for what happened.  This tragedy is a painful reminder of how much more we need to do to protect working people.  We must protect them from violence, from fear, and from injustice.

We stand in full solidarity with our brothers and sisters at 32BJ SEIU and with everyone who is hurting right now.  We grieve with you, and we will keep fighting to make sure that no family has to go through what yours is going through now.

May Aland’s memory, and the memory of all who were lost give us strength to continue to fight for working people, and may we honor their lives by standing together, stronger than ever.

Sincerely,
John R. Durso            
President